Insulated sleeve for a cup

ABSTRACT

An insulative member for surrounding and embracing an exterior surface of a hot-beverage drink cup to provide a grippable low-temperature thermal barrier that can be gripped by a consumer, the member comprising a sheet comprising insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material having localized plastic deformation in the sheet and providing a plastically deformed first material segment having a first density located in a first portion of the sheet and a second material segment having a second density lower than the first density located in an adjacent second portion of the sheet.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/498,415, filed Jun. 17, 2011 andSer. No. 61/618,637, filed Mar. 30, 2012, which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to containers, such as cups, andparticularly to thermoformed containers. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to insulated sleeves for cups.

SUMMARY

A vessel in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to holda product in an interior region formed in the container. In illustrativeembodiments, the container is a cup.

In illustrative embodiments, an insulative container includes a cup andan insulative sleeve. The insulative sleeve is coupled to an exteriorsurface of the cup to insulate a consumer holding the cup from hot orcold temperatures associated with materials or beverages stored in thecup.

In illustrative embodiments, the insulative sleeve is made of a sheetcomprising an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material. Insome embodiments of the present disclosure, the sheet includes a stripof insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material and a skincoupled to the strip and configured to display artwork and text. Inother embodiments of the present disclosure, such text and artwork areprinted directly on an exterior surface of the strip of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material. In illustrative embodiments,the floor also comprises insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial.

In illustrative embodiments, the insulative sleeve is arranged tosurround and embrace an exterior surface of a hot-beverage drink cup toprovide a grippable low-temperature thermal barrier that can be grippedby a consumer. The sleeve comprises a sheet comprising insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material configured to provide means forenabling localized plastic deformation in the sheet to provide aplastically deformed first material segment having a first densitylocated in a first portion of the sheet and a second material segmenthaving a second density lower than the first density located in anadjacent second portion of the sheet without fracturing the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material so that a predeterminedinsulative characteristic is maintained in the sheet.

The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material included in theinsulative sleeve is configured in accordance with the presentdisclosure to provide means for enabling localized plastic deformationin the insulative sleeve to provide (1) a plastically deformed firstmaterial segment having a first density in a first portion of theinsulative sleeve and (2) a second material segment having a relativelylower second density in an adjacent second portion of the insulativesleeve. In illustrative embodiments, the more dense first materialsegment is thinner than the second material segment.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an insulativecontainer in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative container includes a cup including a rolled brim and a baseincluding a sleeve-shaped side wall and a floor and an insulative sleevecoupled to exterior surface of the side wall to extend around the sidewall of the cup;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6showing an upper portion of another embodiment of the insulative sleevethat is coupled to the side wall and that is shown in more detail inFIGS. 6-8;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing thatthe insulative sleeve is coupled to the side wall included in the baseof the cup and positioned to lie between and in spaced-apart relationfrom each of the rolled brim and the floor;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the side wallincluded in the body of the insulative cup of FIG. 3 and a portion ofthe insulative sleeve and showing that the side wall is made from asheet that includes, from left to right, a skin including a film, an inklayer, and an adhesive layer, and a strip of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymer material;

FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 1 showingthat the insulative sleeve is formed from an insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material that has been plastically deformed in alocalized region along overlapping first and second upright tabsincluded in the sleeve to provide a bridge having a reduced thicknessthat is similar to a thickness of the rest of the insulative sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a perspective and diagrammatic view of a sleeve-formingprocess in accordance with the present disclosure showing that thesleeve-forming process includes the steps of loading a laminated roll toprovide a sheet including insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial, plastically deforming the sheet to form a deformed sheet,cutting the deformed sheet to form sleeve blanks and scrap, collectingscrap, and accumulating the sleeve blanks to form sleeve-blank stacks,storing sleeve-blank stacks for transportation or storage, loading thesleeve blanks, heating the sleeve blank, wrapping the sleeve blankaround a mandrel of a sleeve-forming machine, forming the insulativesleeve by overlapping and joining the upright tabs included in thesleeve blank, accumulating insulative sleeves to form stacks ofinsulative sleeves, and storing stacks of insulative sleeves for use ata later time in an illustrative container-forming process suggested inFIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a perspective and diagrammatic view of the container-formingprocess suggested in FIG. 4 showing that that the container-formingprocess includes the steps of loading stacks of cups into acontainer-forming machine, loading stacks of insulative sleeves into thecontainer-forming machine, positioning the insulative sleeve on the cup,coupling the insulative sleeve to the cup to form an insulativecontainer, and inspecting the insulative container for defects;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativecontainer in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative container includes the cup and an insulative sleeve that iscoupled to the side wall of the cup and arranged to extend from therolled brim to the floor of the cup;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6showing that the insulative sleeve extends between the rolled brim andthe floor of the container and that the insulative sleeve includesupright inner and outer tabs (visible on the right side of FIG. 8)arranged to overlap one another and form a bridge along a right side ofthe insulative container and a fence extending around the side wall andinterconnecting the upright inner and outer tabs;

FIG. 8D is a dead section view taken along line 8′-8′ of FIG. 1(omitting the side wall of the insulative cup) and showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a C-shaped fence, an upright outer tabcoupled to one end of the C-shaped fence, and an upright inner tabcoupled to an opposite end of the C-shaped fence and suggested that thefirst and second tabs are arranged to overlap one another to establish abridge extending between the ends of the C-shaped fence to define theinterior region therebetween.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged dead section view of a bridge in accordance withthe present disclosure showing how the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymer material has been compressed in both the first and second tabsto produce a bridge having a reduced the thickness that is similar to athickness of the side wall in the C-shaped fence opposite the bridge;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged dead section view of a portion of the C-shapedfence of FIG. 8A showing that the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymer material has not been compressed;

FIG. 8C is an enlarged dead section view of the first and second tabsprior to mating to one another to establish the bridge;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the sleeve of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the insulative container of FIG.6 showing that the insulative container includes, from top to bottom,the cup including the rolled brim, sleeve-shaped side wall, and floorand the insulative sleeve having a height which is about equal to aheight of the sleeve-shaped side wall;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a series of generally horizontal ribs formedon an inner surface of the sleeve;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a series of generally vertical ribs formed onan inner surface of the sleeve;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along an arc line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a series of ribs formed on an inner surfaceof the insulative sleeve and arranged in a spiral to slope downwardly;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a series of nubs formed on an inner surfaceof the insulative sleeve;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a number of protruding ribs formed in thesleeve as a result of displacing portions of the sleeve;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 25 showing that material has beendisplaced in the sleeve to form the protruding ribs;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a sleeve wall and a sleeve floor coupled tothe sleeve wall to define a cup-receiving space therebetween;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a sleeve wall and a sleeve floor coupled tothe sleeve wall to define a cup-receiving space therebetween;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of a sleeve-wall blank used during asleeve-forming process to form the sleeve wall;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of a sleeve-floor blank used during thesleeve-forming process to form the sleeve floor which is coupled to thesleeve wall to establish the insulative sleeve;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve includes a sleeve wall having a first bridge on a leftside of the insulative sleeve and a second bridge opposite the firstbridge on a right side of the insulative sleeve and a sleeve floorcoupled to the sleeve wall to define a cup-receiving space therebetween;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used during a sleeve-formingprocess to form the insulative sleeve of FIG. 27 showing that the sleeveblank includes, from left to right, a first wall panel, a sleeve floor,and a second wall panel;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativecontainer in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative container includes a cup and an insulative sleeve thatincludes a fence having a fence thickness and a bridge having a bridgethickness that is about twice the fence thickness;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34;

FIGS. 36-40 are a series of views showing another embodiment of aninsulative sleeve in accordance with the present disclosure and showingassembly of the insulative sleeve in the field;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an insulativesleeve in accordance with the present disclosure showing that theinsulative sleeve is in a dis-assembled state that includes a sleevewall having first and second panels connected together by a connectingweb along a fold line and a sleeve-wall retainer including an uprighttab, an adhesive layer applied to the upright tab, and a release linercoupled to the adhesive layer;

FIGS. 37-40 are a series of views showing an illustrative method ofapplying the insulative sleeve of FIG. 36 to a cup in the field;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a cup and the insulative sleeve ofFIG. 36 in the disassembled state;

FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37 with the second panel of the sleevewall folded back away from the first panel of the sleeve wall along theconnecting web to expose the sleeve-wall retainer and suggesting thatthe release liner is peeled away from the adhesive layer to expose theadhesive layer;

FIG. 39 is a view similar to FIG. 38 showing the release liner removedfrom the adhesive layer and suggesting that the sleeve-wall retainer isarranged to overlap a distal end of the second panel as suggested inFIG. 40; and

FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39 showing that the sleeve-wallretainer has been arranged to overlap the distal end of the second panelto cause the insulative sleeve to be established with a cup-receivingspace formed therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An insulative container 110 in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent disclosure is shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-3. As an example,insulative container 110 includes a cup 11 and a first embodiment of aninsulative sleeve 113 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. A container-forming process46, 47 used to make the insulative container 110 is shown in FIGS. 4 and5. Another embodiment of an insulative container 210 in accordance withthe present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 6-10. Other embodimentsof insulative sleeves 313, 413, 513, 613, 713, 813, 913, 1013, 1113,1213, and 1313 that are in accordance with the present disclosure areshown in FIGS. 11-36.

An insulative container 110 in accordance with the present disclosureincludes a cup 11 and an insulative sleeve 113 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3,and 4. Cup 11 includes body 12 formed to include an interior region 14and a rolled brim 16 coupled to body 12 as shown, for example, inFIG. 1. Body 12 includes a side wall 18 and a floor 20 coupled to sidewall 18 to define an interior region 14 therebetween. In oneillustrative example, cup 11 may be formed of polypropylene using athermoforming process.

Insulative sleeve 113 illustratively comprises a strip 82 of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material. Strip 82 of insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material is configured to provide meansfor insulating a beverage, dessert or other substance placed in interiorregion 14 of cup 11 while providing resistance to deformation andpuncture and for providing an exterior surface that is suitable forprinting graphics and other information thereon.

Insulative sleeve 113 includes a region 101 having localized plasticdeformation that provides segments of insulative sleeve 113 that exhibithigher material density than neighboring segments of insulative sleeve113 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.As an example, insulative sleeve 113 is made using an illustrativesleeve-forming process 46 suggested in FIG. 4. Insulative container 110is made using an illustrative container-forming process 47 using asleeve blank 300 as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. Strip 82 ofinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material used to forminsulative sleeve 113 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Insulative sleeve 113 includes an upright inner tab 114, an uprightouter tab 112, and an upright fence 111 extending between inner andouter tabs 114, 112 as suggested in FIG. 8D. Upright inner tab 114 isconfigured to provide the first material segment having the higher firstdensity in the region 101 of sleeve 113. Upright outer tab 112 isarranged to mate with upright inner tab 114 along an interface Itherebetween as suggested in FIG. 8D. Upright fence 111 is arranged tointerconnect upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 and surround interiorregion 14. Upright fence 111 is configured to provide the secondmaterial segment having the lower second density in the region 101insulative sleeve 113 and cooperate with upright inner and outer tabs114, 112 to form insulative sleeve 113 as suggested in FIG. 8D. Region101 of insulative sleeve 113 in which localized plastic deformation isenabled by the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material iswhere upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 overlap along interface I assuggested in FIG. 8D.

Upright fence 111 of insulative sleeve 113 is C-shaped in a horizontalcross-section and each of upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 has anarcuate shape in a horizontal cross-section as suggested in FIG. 8D.Upright fence 111 includes an upright left side edge 111L and an uprightright side edge 111R that is arranged to lie in spaced-apart confrontingrelation to upright left side edge 111L. Upright outer tab 112 isconfigured to have the higher first density and mate with upright innertab 114 also characterized by the higher first density to establish abridge 112, 114 arranged to interconnect upright left and right sideedges 111L, 111R of upright fence 111. Bridge 112, 114 is formed ofplastically deformed material having the higher first density.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 1, upright fence 111 of insulative sleeve113 has a sleeve height H1. Cup 11 has a cup height D1. As shown in FIG.1, sleeve height H1 is less than cup height D1.

Insulative sleeve 113 includes a pair of tabs 114, 112 that mate toprovide insulative sleeve 113 with a frustoconical shape in theillustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8D, 8A, and 8C. Upright inner tab114 includes an inner surface 114 i bounding a portion of interiorregion 14 and an outer surface 114 o facing toward upright outer tab 112as shown in FIGS. 8D and 8C. Upright outer tab 112 includes an innersurface 112 i facing toward interior region 14 and mating with outersurface 114 o of upright inner tab 114 to define the interface I betweenupright inner and outer tabs 114, 112. Upright outer tab 112 furtherincludes an outer face 112 o facing away from upright inner tab 114.Each of inner and outer surfaces of upright inner and outer tabs 114,112 has an arcuate shape in a horizontal cross-section as suggested inFIG. 8C and subtends an acute angle of less than 20° as suggested inFIG. 8D.

Upright fence 111 is C-shaped in a horizontal cross-section and each ofupright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 has an arcuate shape in ahorizontal cross-section as suggested in FIG. 8D. Upright fence 111includes an upright left side edge 111L and an upright right side edge111R that is arranged to lie in spaced-apart confronting relation toupright left side edge 111L in FIG. 8C. Upright outer tab 112 isconfigured to have the higher first density and mate with upright innertab 114 also characterized by the higher first density to establish abridge 112, 114 arranged to interconnect upright left and right sideedges 111L, 111R of upright fence 111. Bridge 112, 114 is formed ofplastically deformed material having the higher first density.

Upright fence 111 has an inner surface 111 i bounding a portion ofinterior region 14 and an outer surface 1110 facing away from interiorregion 14 and surrounding inner surface 111 i of upright fence 111 asshown, or example, in FIG. 8D. Outer surface 111 o cooperates with innersurface 111 i of upright fence 111 to define a first thickness Tatherebetween. Upright inner tab 114 includes an inner surface 114 ibounding a portion of interior region 14 and an outer surface 114 ofacing toward upright outer tab 112. Upright outer tab 112 includes aninner surface 112 i facing toward interior region 14 and mating withouter surface 114 o of upright inner tab 114 to define the interface Ibetween upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112. Upright outer tab 112further includes an outer face 112 o facing away from upright inner tab114. Inner and outer surfaces of upright inner tab 114 cooperate todefine a second thickness T2I therebetween that is less than the firstthickness T1 Inner and outer surfaces of upright outer tab 112 cooperateto define a third thickness T20 that is less than the first thicknessT1.

Insulative sleeve 113 is made from a strip 82 of insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material. Insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material comprises, for example, a polypropylene base resinhaving a high melt strength, one or both of a polypropylene copolymerand homopolymer resin, and one or more cell-forming agents. As anexample, cell-forming agents may include a primary nucleation agent, asecondary nucleation agent, and a blowing agent defined by gas means forexpanding the resins and to reduce density. In one example, the gasmeans comprises carbon dioxide. In another example, the base resincomprises broadly distributed molecular weight polypropylenecharacterized by a distribution that is unimodal and not bimodal.Reference is hereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/491,327 filedJun. 7, 2012 and titled POLYMERIC MATERIAL FOR AN INSULATIVE CONTAINERfor disclosure relating to such insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material, which application is hereby incorporated in itsentirety herein.

An insulating sleeve in accordance with the present disclosure mayoptionally include, as shown in FIGS. 11-26, vertical, horizontal,spiral or other configuration of ribs or rib segments, hoops, bumps,nubs, or other projections, or grooves, slots, channels, depressions orthe like on the inner surface of the sleeve that creates an air gapbetween side wall 18 of cup 11 and the insulating sleeve. This air gapforms an insulating barrier to minimize transfer of heat from a hotbeverage through cup 11 and/or the insulating sleeve to a user's hand(and, conversely, transfer of heat from a user's hand through insulativesleeve 113 and side wall 18 to the beverage). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,insulative container 110 is formed in an illustrative container-formingprocess 46, 47.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, insulative sleeve 113 is formed duringsleeve-forming process 46 (see FIG. 4). Upright fence 111 has a firstthickness T1 (see FIG. 8) and first and second upright tabs 114 (seeFIG. 8), 112 (see FIG. 8) each have a second thickness 11T2. Assuggested in FIG. 1, second thickness T2 (see FIG. 8) is about half tofirst thickness T1. As a result, bridge 114, 112 formed by overlappingand coupling upright tabs 114, 112 has a third thickness T3 which aboutequal to first thickness T1. In one exemplary embodiment the insulativesleeve 113 may be formed in the forming apparatus and coupled with cup11. Insulative sleeve 113 may be manufactured, stored, shipped, and/orsold separately with a self-locking die cut feature. The self-lockingfeature may have various shapes to promote retention.

Insulative sleeve 113 is made using sleeve-forming process 46 as shown,for example, in FIG. 4. Sleeve-forming process 46 includes alaminated-roll loading step 461A, a compressing step 462A, a cuttingstep 463A, an accumulating sleeve blanks step 464A, a storing sleeveblanks step 465A, a loading sleeve blank step 461B, heating sleeveblanks step 462B, wrapping sleeve blanks step 463B, forming sleeve step464B, accumulating sleeves step 465B, and storing stacks of sleeves step466B as shown in FIG. 4.

Laminated-roll loading step 461A loads laminated roll 86 onto a cuttingmachine such as a die cutting machine or metal-on-metal stampingmachine. As a result, laminated sheet 80 is drawn into the cuttingmachine for processing. Compressing step 462A compresses portions oflaminated sheet 80 to form a compressed sheet. Cutting step 463A cutscompressed sheet to cause sleeve blank 300 to be cut from laminatedsheet 80. As an example, cutting step 463A and compressing step 462A maybe combined such that they are performed generally at the same time onthe same piece of equipment. Accumulating sleeve blanks step 464Aaccumulates sleeve blanks 300 into a stack 95 of sleeve blanks Storingsleeve blanks step 465A stores stack 95 of sleeve blanks until ready foruse in loading sleeve blanks step 461B. Loading sleeve blanks step 461Bloads stack 95 of sleeve blanks for processing by a sleeve-formingmachine. Heating sleeve blanks step 462B applies heat 102 to sleeveblank 300. Wrapping sleeve blanks step 463B wraps heated sleeve blank300 around a mandrel included in sleeve-forming machine. Forming sleevestep 464B forms bridge 114, 112 by overlapping and compressing uprighttabs 112, 114 with primary and auxiliary clamps included insleeve-forming machine. Accumulating sleeves step 465B accumulatessleeves 113 into a stack 97 of sleeves. Storing stacks of sleeves step466B stores stack 97 of sleeves for use in later container-formingprocess 47.

Insulative container 110 is made using a container-forming process 47 asshown in FIG. 5. Container-forming process 47 includes a loading cupsstep 471, a loading sleeves step 472, a positioning sleeve on cup step473, a sleeve coupling step 474, and an inspecting step 475 as shown inFIG. 5. Loading containers step 471 loads container stack 124 onto acontainer-forming machine. Loading sleeves step 472 loads a stack 97 ofsleeves onto the container-forming machine. Positioning sleeve on cupstep 473 positions sleeve 113 on cup 11. Sleeve coupling step 474couples sleeve 113 to cup 11 using heat for example to establishinsulative container 110. However, sleeve 113 may be coupled byadhesive, friction fit, or any other suitable alternative. Inspectingstep 475 inspects insulative container 110 for defects before passinggood containers onto container-packaging stage 48 as suggested in FIG.5.

As shown in FIG. 3A, insulative sleeve 113 is made from a sheet 80.Sheet 80 includes a skin 81 and strip 82 of insulative cellularpolymeric material. Skin 81, includes, for example, a film layer 811, anink layer 812, and an adhesive layer 810 as shown in FIG. 3A. Adhesivelayer 810 is used, for example, to laminate skin 81 to strip 82 so thatink layer 812 is trapped between film layer 811 and adhesive layer 810.

In another exemplary embodiment of a sleeve-forming process,sleeve-forming process 46 is modified by not laminating a skin 81 tostrip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material. As aresult, the skin is entirely omitted and printing may done directly onstrip 82 of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material.

Side wall 18 of cup 11 extends between rolled brim 16 and floor 20 asshown in FIG. 3. Side wall 18 includes a top portion 22 of body 12 thatis coupled to rolled brim 16 and a bottom portion 24 arranged tointerconnect floor 20 and top portion 22. Top portion 22 is arranged toextend in a downward direction toward floor 20 and is coupled to bottomportion 24 that is arranged to extend in an opposite upward directiontoward rolled brim 16. Top portion 22 and rolled brim 16 cooperate toform a mouth 32 that is arranged to open into interior region 14 asshown in FIG. 1.

Insulative sleeve 113 is arranged to surround and embrace an exteriorsurface of a hot-beverage drink cup 11 to provide a grippablelow-temperature thermal barrier that can be gripped by a consumer.Insulative sleeve 113 comprises a sheet 80 comprising insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material configured to provide means forenabling localized plastic deformation in sheet 80 to provide aplastically deformed first material segment having a first densitylocated in a first portion of sheet 80 and a second material segmenthaving a second density lower than the first density located in anadjacent second portion of sheet 80 without fracturing the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material so that a predeterminedinsulative characteristic is maintained in sheet 80.

Sheet 80 is arranged to surround a vertical central axis 113A assuggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. Sheet 80 includes an upright inner tab 114arranged to extend upwardly along and in spaced-apart relation tovertical central axis 113A and configured to provide the first materialsegment having the first density. Sheet 80 also includes an uprightouter tab 112 arranged to extend upwardly along and in spaced-apartrelation to vertical central axis 113A and to mate with upright innertab 114 along an interface I therebetween, and an upright fence 111arranged to interconnect the upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 andsurround vertical central axis 113A and configured to provide the secondmaterial segment having the second density and cooperate with uprightinner and outer tabs 114, 112 to form sleeve-shaped side wall 18. Fence111 has a substantially frustoconical shape as suggested in FIGS. 1 and3. Each of upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 has an arcuate shape.

Upright inner tab 114 includes an inner surface providing means formating with a hot-beverage drink cup 11 and an outer surface facingtoward upright outer tab 112 as suggested in FIGS. 8D and 8C. Uprightouter tab 112 includes an inner surface mating with the outer surface ofupright inner tab 114 to define the interface I between upright innerand outer tabs 114, 112. Upright outer tab 112 further includes an outerface facing away from upright inner tab 114. Each of the inner and outersurfaces of upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 has an arcuate shapein a horizontal cross-section and subtends an acute angle of less than20°. Upright fence 111 is C-shaped in a horizontal cross-section. Eachof upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112 has an arcuate shape in ahorizontal cross-section.

Upright fence 111 includes an upright left side edge 111L and an uprightright side edge 111R arranged to lie in spaced-apart confrontingrelation to upright left side edge 111L. Upright outer tab 112 isconfigured to have the first density and mate with the upright inner tabto establish a bridge arranged to interconnect upright left and rightside edges 111L, 111R of the upright fence and formed of plasticallydeformed material having the first density.

Upright fence 111 has an inner surface facing toward vertical centralaxis 113A and providing means for mating with a hot-beverage drink cup11. Upright fence 111 also has an outer surface facing away from centralvertical axis 113A from interior region 14 and surrounding the innersurface of upright fence 111 and cooperating with the inner surface ofupright fence 111 to define a first thickness therebetween.

Upright inner tab 114 includes an inner surface facing toward verticalcentral axis 113A and providing means for mating with hot-beverage drinkcup 11 and an outer surface facing toward upright outer tab 112. Uprightouter tab 112 includes an inner surface facing toward vertical centralaxis 113A and mating with the outer surface of upright inner tab 114 todefine interface I between upright inner and outer tabs 114, 112.

Upright outer tab 112 further includes an outer face facing away fromthe upright inner tab 114. The inner and outer surfaces of upright innertab 114 cooperate to define a second thickness therebetween that isabout half of the first thickness as suggested in FIG. 8D. Inner andouter surfaces of upright outer tab 112 cooperate to define a thirdthickness that is about half of the first thickness as suggested in FIG.8D.

Another embodiment of an insulative container 210 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown in FIGS. 6-10. Insulative container 210includes cup 11 and insulative sleeve 213 as shown in FIG. 6. Insulativesleeve 213 is similar to sleeve 113 except that insulative sleeve 213has a sleeve height H1 that about equal to a cup height D1 as shown inFIG. 6.

As an example, insulative sleeve 213 is formed using sleeve blank 300during sleeve-forming process 46 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Blank300 includes a first side 302 and an opposite second side (not shown).Blank 300 has a first arcuate edge 306 that coincides with a radius 308centered on an axis 310. A second arcuate edge 312 coincides with aradius 314 centered on axis 310. A first linear edge 316 coincides witha first ray emanating from the axis 310 and a second linear edge 318coincides with a second ray emanating from the axis 310. When the blank300 is wrapped such that first linear edge 316 overlaps in juxtapositionwith second linear edge 318, the insulative sleeve 213 defines afrustoconical surface 320 shown in FIG. 6. The overlapped linear edges316 and 318 may be secured in any of a number of ways including amechanical connection created by heating the edges 316 and 318 tobonding of the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material. Theedges 316 and 318 may be treated with an adhesive to secure the edges316 and 318 to one another.

In yet another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 313 formed from asleeve blank 322, insulative sleeve 313 includes a plurality ofgenerally horizontal ribs 328 on an inner surface 326 of an assembledinsulative sleeve 313 as shown in FIGS. 11-13. Sleeve blank 322 isformed with a first thickness 322T1 and in a compressing material sheetstep of a sleeve forming process, depressions 324 are formed by reducingthe thickness to 322T2 as shown in FIG. 13. Upon completion of thecompressing material sheet step, blank 322 includes a number of areas oflocalized plastic deformation that form depression 324 with thickness322T2 and ribs 328 which have no deformation and thickness 322T1. Asshown diagramatically in FIG. 11, depressions 324 and ribs 328 cooperateto form an air gap 301 between inner surface 326 of insulative sleeve313, an exterior surface 102 of cup 11, and a pair of neighboring ribs328A, 328B.

Blank 322 is formed with a first linear edge 330 and a second linearedge 334. Ribs 328 are formed to abut second linear edge 334 at a firstend and are spaced apart from first linear edge 330 by a distance 332 sothat when first linear edge 330 overlaps second linear edge 334 duringthe wrapping sleeve blank step of the sleeve forming process, the firstand second ends of ribs 328 do not overlap. This reduces the amount ofmaterial that must be compressed during the wrapping sleeve blank step.Ribs 328 are positioned to engage an outer surface of a cup, such as cup11, such that the inner surface 326 of depressions 324 are spaced apartfrom the outer surface of the cup to provide an air gap with only theribs 328 engaging the outer surface of the cup. The air gap isinsulative so that when a user grips an outer surface 338 of insulativesleeve 313, heat transfer from the cup to a user's hand is impeded.

In still yet another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 413 formed froma sleeve blank 422, insulative sleeve 413 includes a plurality ofvertical ribs 428 on an inner surface 426 of an assembled insulativesleeve 413 as shown in FIGS. 14-16. Sleeve blank 422 is formed with afirst thickness 422T1 and in a compressing material sheet step of asleeve forming process, depressions 424 are formed by reducing thethickness to 422T2 as shown in FIG. 16. Upon completion of thecompressing material sheet step, blank 422 includes a number of areas oflocalized plastic deformation that form depression 424 with thickness422T2 and ribs 428 which have no deformation and thickness 422T1.

Blank 422 is formed with a first linear edge 430, a first arcuate edge440, a second linear edge 434, and a second arcuate edge 442. Ribs 428are formed to extend from first arcuate edge 440 to second arcuate edge442. First linear edge 430 and second linear edge 434 each lie along aray that emanates from a common axis that defines the center ofcurvature of both first arcuate edge 440 and second arcuate edge 442.Each rib 428 also lies along a ray that extends from the common axis444. Ribs 428 are positioned to engage an outer surface of a cup, suchas cup 11, such that the inner surface 426 of depressions 424 are spacedapart from the outer surface of the cup to provide an air gap with onlythe ribs 428 engaging the outer surface of the cup. The air gap isinsulative so that when a user grips an outer surface 438 of insulativesleeve 413, heat transfer from the cup to a user's hand is impeded.

In yet another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 513 formed from asleeve blank 522, insulative sleeve 513 includes a plurality of helicalribs 528 on an inner surface 526 of an assembled insulative sleeve 513as shown in FIGS. 17-19. Sleeve blank 522 is extruded with a firstthickness 522T1 and in a compressing material sheet step of a sleeveforming process, depressions 524 are formed by reducing the thickness to522T2 as shown in FIG. 19. Upon completion of the compressing materialsheet step, blank 522 includes a number of areas of localized plasticdeformation that form depression 524 with thickness 522T2 and ribs 528which have no deformation and thickness 522T1.

Blank 522 is formed with a first linear edge 530, a first arcuate edge540, a second linear edge 534, and a second arcuate edge 542. Ribs 528are formed to extend along axes that are perpendicular to second linearedge 534. Ribs 528 extend to abut either second arcuate edge 542 orfirst linear edge 530. Ribs 528 are positioned to engage an outersurface of a cup, such as cup 11, such that the inner surface 526 ofdepressions 524 are spaced apart from the outer surface of cup toprovide an air gap with only the ribs 528 engaging the outer surface ofcup 11. The air gap is insulative so that when a user grips an outersurface 538 of insulative sleeve 513, heat transfer from the cup to auser's hand is impeded.

In another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 613 formed from a sleeveblank 622, insulative sleeve 613 includes a plurality of nubs orprotrusions 628 on an inner surface 626 of an assembled insulativesleeve 613 as shown in FIGS. 20-22. Sleeve blank 622 is extruded with afirst thickness 622T1 and in a compressing material sheet step of asleeve forming process, protrusions 628 remain after reducing theremainder of blank 622 to thickness to 622T2 as shown in FIG. 22. Uponcompletion of the compressing material sheet step, blank 622 includes anumber of protrusions 628 which have no deformation and thickness 622T1.

Blank 622 is formed with a first linear edge 630, a first arcuate edge640, a second linear edge 634, and a second arcuate edge 642.Protrusions 628 are spaced in rows 624 with each row 624 lying along anarc that is parallel to the first arcuate edge 640 and second arcuateedge 642. Protrusions 628 are positioned to engage an outer surface of acup, such as cup 11, such that the inner surface 626 of insulativesleeve 613 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the cup to providean air gap with only the protrusions 628 engaging the outer surface ofthe cup. The air gap is insulative so that when a user grips an outersurface 638 of insulative sleeve 613, heat transfer from the cup to auser's hand is impeded.

In yet another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 713 formed from asleeve blank 722, insulative sleeve 713 includes a plurality ofgenerally horizontal ribs 728 on an inner surface 736 of an assembledinsulative sleeve 713 as shown in FIGS. 23-26. Sleeve blank 722 isextruded with a first thickness 722T1 and in a displacing material sheetstep of a sleeve forming process, ribs 728 are formed by displacingmaterial. Upon completion of the displacing material sheet step, blank722 includes a number of areas of localized plastic deformation thatform ribs 728 which have thickness 722T1, but with portions of the blank722 offset to define ribs 728. Portions of blank 722 are reduced to athickness 722T2 due to plastic deformation and elongations as thematerial is displaced.

The displacing material sheet step may be performed by a thermoformingprocess in which blank 722 is thermoformed. As a result, thicknesses722T1 and 722T2 are maximized so that the insulative properties ofinsulative sleeve 713 are maximized.

Blank 722 is formed with a first linear edge 730 and a second linearedge 734. Ribs 728 are formed to abut second linear edge 734 at a firstend and are spaced apart from first linear edge 730 by a distance 732 sothat when first linear edge 730 overlaps second linear edge 734 during awrapping sleeve blank step of the sleeve forming process, the first andsecond ends of ribs 728 do not overlap. This reduces the amount ofmaterial that must be compressed during wrapping sleeve blank process.Ribs 728 are positioned to engage an outer surface of a cup, such as cup11, such that the inner surface 736 of depressions 724 are spaced apartfrom the outer surface of the cup to provide an air gap with only theribs 728 engaging the outer surface of the cup. The air gap isinsulative so that when a user grips an outer surface 738 of insulativesleeve 713, heat transfer from the cup to a user's hand is impeded.

Another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 813 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Insulative sleeve 813includes an upright sleeve wall 818 and a sleeve floor 820 as shown inFIG. 27. Sleeve blank 822 is extruded with a first thickness and in acompressing material sheet step of a sleeve forming process, a fold line828 is formed by compressing material to a relatively thinner secondthickness. Sleeve floor 820 includes a floor platform 821 and afloor-retention tab 822 that is coupled to sleeve wall 818 during sleeveforming as shown in FIG. 27. After sleeve forming, sleeve floor 820 andsleeve wall 818 cooperate to define a cup-receiving space 814therebetween.

Still yet another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 913 in accordancewith the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 29-31. Insulative sleeve913 includes an upright sleeve wall 918 and a sleeve floor 920 as shownin FIGS. 29-31. Sleeve-wall blank 922 and sleeve-floor blank 924 areextruded with a first thickness and in a compressing material sheet stepof a sleeve forming process, fold lines 928 are formed by compressingmaterial to a relatively thinner second thickness in sleeve-floor blank924 as shown in FIG. 31. Sleeve floor 920 includes a floor platform 921and four floor-retention tabs 922A, 922B, 922C, 922D that are coupled tosleeve wall 918 during sleeve forming as shown in FIG. 29. After sleeveforming, sleeve floor 920 and sleeve wall 918 cooperate to define acup-receiving space 914 therebetween.

In another embodiment, an insulative sleeve 1013 has a generallycylindrical shape with a lower tab 1002 as shown in FIG. 32. The lowertab 1002 is used to support a cylindrical drinking vessel, such as analuminum can, for example, while insulative sleeve 1013 is positioned onthe cylindrical drinking vessel. Insulative sleeve 1013 includes anopening into which the vessel is positioned and lower tab 1002 providesa stop so that the vessel is supported on lower tab 1002 to positioninsulative sleeve 1013. Insulative sleeve 1013 differs from sleeves 213and 113 in that insulative sleeve 1013 has two joints 1006 and 1008where material is joined to form the insulative sleeve 1013.

A blank 1022 for insulative sleeve 1013 includes two generallyrectangular shaped portions 1012, 1014 interconnected by lower tab 1002as shown in FIG. 33. A first linear edge 1016 of portion 1012 mates witha first linear edge 1018 of portion 1014 and the edges are overlapped injuxtaposition so that they can be joined to form joint 1006. Similarly,a second linear edge 1020 of portion 1012 mates with a second linearedge 1021 of portion 1014 overlapped and juxtaposed therewith to formjoint 1008. The joints 1006 and 1008 are formed by heating the materialand positioning the edges so that the insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material is coupled together. In other embodiments, the jointsmay be formed by applying adhesive to the respective edges. In eitherapproach, pressure may be applied to assist with the joining. In otherembodiments, the joints may be formed by forming a slit along one edgeand forming a tab along the opposite edge and causing the tab to beinserted into the slit and retained therein.

In other embodiments, joints 1006 and 1008 may be secured by using ahook and loop fastening system, such as VELCRO®, for example. Theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material has sufficientflexibility to allow the insulative sleeve 1013 to be formed as a blankin a flat condition and assembled by a consumer. Similarly, sleeves 213and 113 may use hook and loop fastening systems in some embodiments,such that the sleeves 213 and 113 can be shipped to a consumer as flatblanks and assembled by a consumer or at a point of sale. It should beunderstood that insulative sleeve 1013 may be formed with varioussurface discontinuities, including those discussed with regard tosleeves 313, 413, 513, 613, and 713 above.

Another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 1113 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. Insulative sleeve 1113includes an upright inner tab 1114, an upright outer tab 1112, and anupright fence 1111 extending between inner and outer tabs 1114, 1112 assuggested in FIGS. 34 and 35. Upright inner tab 1114 is arranged toextend upwardly from floor 20 of cup 11. Upright outer tab 1112 isarranged to extend upwardly from floor 20 and to mate with upright innertab 1114 along an interface I therebetween as suggested in FIG. 35.Upright fence 1111 is arranged to interconnect upright inner and outertabs 1114, 1112 and surround cup-receiving space 1115.

Upright fence 1111 of insulative sleeve 1113 is C-shaped in a horizontalcross-section and each of upright inner and outer tabs 1114, 1112 has anarcuate shape in a horizontal cross-section. Upright fence 1111 has afirst thickness 11T1 and first and second upright tabs 1114, 1112 eachhave a second thickness 11T2. As suggested in FIG. 34 and shown in FIG.35, second thickness 11T2 is about equal to first thickness 11T1. As aresult, bridge 1114, 1112 formed by overlapping and coupling uprighttabs 1114, 1112 has a third thickness 11T3 which about twice first andsecond thicknesses 11T1, 11T2.

Another embodiment of an insulative sleeve 1213 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown in FIGS. 36-40. Insulative sleeve 1213includes a sleeve wall 1218 and a sleeve-wall retainer 1220 as shown,for example in FIG. 36. Sleeve wall 1218 includes a first sleeve panel1218A, a second sleeve panel 1218B spaced-apart from first sleeve panel1218A, and a connecting web 1218C positioned to lie between andinterconnect first and second sleeve panels 1218A, 1218B as shown inFIGS. 36 and 38.

Sleeve-wall retainer 1220 includes an upright tab 1220A, an adhesivelayer 1220B, and a release liner 1220C as shown in FIG. 36. Upright tab1220A is coupled to a free end of first sleeve panel 1218A oppositeconnecting web 1218C. Adhesive layer 1220B is placed on upright tab1220A and release liner 1220C is placed on adhesive layer 1220B tolocate adhesive layer 1220B between release line 1220C and upright tab1220 until assembly of insulative sleeve 1213 in the field.

In example of use, insulative sleeve 1213 may be assembled and coupledto a cup 11 in the field. As shown in FIG. 37, insulative sleeve 1213 isin a dis-assembled state in spaced-apart relation to cup 11. Secondsleeve panel 1218B is folded back away from first sleeve panel 1218Aabout connecting web 1218C to expose sleeve retainer 1220 as suggestedin FIG. 38. Release liner 1220C is pulled away from adhesive layer 1220Bto expose adhesive layer 1220B as shown in FIG. 39. Upright tab 1220Aand adhesive 1220B are arranged to overlap a free end of second sleevepanel 1218B to for insulative sleeve 1213 as shown in FIG. 40. Cup 11 isinserted into and coupled to insulative sleeve 1213 as suggested in FIG.40. As an example, insulative sleeve 1213 may be coupled to cup 11 byfriction interference or any other suitable method.

The insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material used to producethe insulative sleeves 213 and 113 and the variants of those sleeves issomewhat flexible and capable of expanding slightly under load to allowa properly sized sleeve to grip a vessel with some level of bias.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure to form insulativesleeves 813, 913, 1013, 1113, and 1213 with various patterns, includingthose discussed with regard to sleeves 313, 413, 513, 613, and 713above. The various patterns may be formed by forming localized areas ofplastic deformation in each insulative sleeve. An example, the patternsmay be formed by compression portions of the sleeve such that thepattern is made from uncompressed portions. As another example, thepatterns may be formed by compressing portions of the sleeve such thatthe pattern is made from the compressed portions. In still yet anotherexample, the patterns may be formed by deforming portions of the sleeveso that thicknesses throughout the sleeve are maximized. In yet anotherexample, combinations of deformation and compression may be used.

The insulative sleeve as described hereinabove provides the cup withstrength and insulation. A feature of the thermoformed cup with aninsulative sleeve of the present disclosure is that the thermo formedcup is seamless, yet the insulating sleeve provides desired strength,insulation, and a printable surface. The thermoformed cup has a brimwithout a seam, thereby providing a lid seal which reduces potentialleakage compared to expanded polystyrene cups (which have seams).Another feature of the thermoformed cup and insulative sleeve of thepresent disclosure is that the desired strength and insulation levelsare attained, but the cup side walls have a desirable level of punctureresistance. The present disclosure also provides for an insulativesleeve which can be provided separate from the cup.

The insulative sleeve made of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial as described in the present disclosure can also be used oradapted for use with structures other than containers. As an example,the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material may used as, butnot limited to, a window sill seal, pipe wrap, or other applicationswhere a low density, light weight, thin, material with good insulationis desired.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the cup, base, or body may bemade of a material other than a thermoformed material. As example, thecup, base, or body may be made of an injection molded material or anyother suitable alternative.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An insulative sleeve for surrounding andembracing an exterior surface of a hot-beverage drink cup to provide agrippable low-temperature thermal barrier that can be gripped by aconsumer, the sleeve comprising a sheet comprising insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material having localized plastic deformation inthe sheet and providing a plastically deformed first material segmenthaving a first density located in a first portion of the sheet and asecond material segment having a second density lower than the firstdensity located in an adjacent second portion of the sheet, wherein thesheet has no fractures in the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial so that a predetermined insulative characteristic is maintainedin the sheet.
 2. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sheet isarranged to surround a vertical central axis and the sheet includes anupright inner tab arranged to extend upwardly along and in spaced-apartrelation to the vertical central axis and configured to provide thefirst material segment having the first density, an upright outer tabarranged to extend upwardly along and in spaced-apart relation to thevertical central axis and to mate with the upright inner tab along aninterface therebetween, and an upright fence arranged to interconnectthe upright inner and outer tabs and surround the vertical central axisand configured to provide the second material segment having the seconddensity and cooperate with the upright inner and outer tabs to form asleeve-shaped side wall.
 3. The insulative sleeve of claim 2, whereinthe fence has a substantially frustoconical shape and each of theupright inner and outer tabs has an arcuate shape.
 4. The insulativesleeve of claim 2, wherein the upright inner tab includes an innersurface providing means for mating with a hot-beverage drink cup and anouter surface facing toward the upright outer tab, the upright outer tabincludes an inner surface mating with the outer surface of the uprightinner tab to define the interface between the upright inner and outertabs, and the upright outer tab further includes an outer face facingaway from the upright inner tab.
 5. The insulative sleeve of claim 4,wherein each of the inner and outer surfaces of the upright inner andouter tabs has an arcuate shape in a horizontal cross-section andsubtends an acute angle of less than 20°.
 6. The insulative sleeve ofclaim 2, wherein the upright fence is C-shaped in a horizontalcross-section and each of the upright inner and outer tabs has anarcuate shape in a horizontal cross-section.
 7. The insulative sleeve ofclaim 2, wherein the upright fence includes an upright left side edgeand an upright right side edge arranged to lie in spaced-apartconfronting relation to the upright left side edge and the upright outertab is configured to have the first density and mate with the uprightinner tab to establish a bridge arranged to interconnect the uprightleft and right side edges of the upright fence and formed of plasticallydeformed material having the first density.
 8. The insulative sleeve ofclaim 7, wherein the upright fence has an inner surface facing towardthe vertical central axis and providing means for mating with ahot-beverage drink cup and an outer surface facing away from the centralvertical axis from the interior region and surrounding the inner surfaceof the upright fence and cooperating with the inner surface of theupright fence to define a first thickness therebetween, the uprightinner tab includes an inner surface facing toward the vertical centralaxis and providing means for mating with the hot-beverage drink cup andan outer surface facing toward the upright outer tab, the upright outertab includes an inner surface facing toward the vertical central axisand mating with the outer surface of the upright inner tab to define theinterface between the upright inner and outer tabs, and the uprightouter tab further includes an outer face facing away from the uprightinner tab, the inner and outer surfaces of the upright inner tabcooperate to define a second thickness therebetween that is about halfof the first thickness, and the inner and outer surfaces of the uprightouter tab cooperate to define a third thickness that is about half ofthe first thickness.
 9. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein thefirst material segment in the sheet of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material has a relatively thin first thickness and the secondmaterial segment in the sheet of insulative cellular non-aromaticpolymeric material has a relatively thicker second thickness.
 10. Theinsulative sleeve of claim 9, further comprising a cellular non-aromaticskin comprising a biaxially oriented polypropylene film adhered to theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material.
 11. The insulativesleeve of claim 1, further comprising a graphics skin coupled to anexterior surface of the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymericmaterial, the graphics skin including a film, an adhesive interposedbetween the film and the exterior surface, and an ink printed on thefilm to provide a graphics design.
 12. The insulative sleeve of claim11, wherein the film is biaxially oriented polypropylene.
 13. Theinsulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material comprises a polypropylene base resin, apolypropylene copolymer resin, at least one nucleation agent, and gasmeans for expanding the resins to reduce density.
 14. The insulativesleeve of claim 13, wherein the gas means comprises carbon dioxide. 15.The insulative sleeve of claim 13, wherein the polypropylene base resinhas a molecular weight distribution that is unimodal.
 16. The insulativesleeve of claim 13, wherein the polypropylene base resin furtherincludes a polypropylene homopolymer resin.
 17. The insulative sleeve ofclaim 1, wherein the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric materialcomprises a polypropylene base resin, a polypropylene homopolymer resin,at least one nucleation agent, and gas means for expanding the resins toreduce density.
 18. The insulative sleeve of claim 17, wherein the gasmeans comprises carbon dioxide.
 19. The insulative sleeve of claim 17,wherein the polypropylene base resin has a molecular weight distributionthat is unimodal.
 20. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprisespolypropylene having a molecular weight distribution that is unimodal.21. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first density is about0.350 g/cm³ and the second density is about 0.175 g/cm³.
 22. Theinsulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein the insulative cellularnon-aromatic polymeric material is formed to include cells filled withgas and each cell is bounded by a cell wall provided in the insulativecellular non-aromatic polymeric material and each cell wall isconfigured to be inelastically deformable during exposure to localizedplastic deformation.
 23. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein theinsulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprisespolypropylene characterized by long-chain branching to provide apredetermined balance of processability and melt elasticity.
 24. Theinsulative sleeve of claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve is a blank.25. The insulative sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a cellularnon-aromatic skin comprising a biaxially oriented polypropylene filmadhered to the insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material.